At Kmart, Sears, Toys R Us and Walmart, Black Friday starts at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Target opens its doors at 9 p.m. on Thursday.

But wait, there's more.

"Instead of having all the door busters available as soon as the doors open, both Sears and Walmart are spreading the doorbusters out," says Edgar Dworsky, who runs the website ConsumerWorld.org.

"So at 8 p.m. certain doorbusters will be available. Then at 10 p.m. other doorbusters will be available. And then at 5 a.m. the next morning a third group of doorbusters will be available and this varies from chain to chain."

To make sure you don't get in line at the wrong time, you need to carefully read the circulars to make sure you know what time that doorbuster deal begins.

Remember, very few of the items on sale for Black Friday are truly doorbusters. And those are normally limited to just a few per store.

You might want to stock up on tequila and rum if margaritas or mojitos are on your summer menu, because prices are likely going up at many local retailers this week - and prices are just one of several big changes in store when Washington state abandons its long-held place in the liquor business.

Voters approved Initiative 1183 last fall, allowing stores larger than 10,000 square feet and some smaller stores to sell liquor. Supporters touted the initiative, backed by warehouse giant Costco Wholesale Corp., as a free-market reform for an industry monopolized by the state since the end of Prohibition.

Under the measure, restaurants and bars were allowed to begin buying liquor directly from distributors March 1, and they can begin buying directly from retail stores June 1.

Between July 11th and August 7th, we are asking you to take a second (today or once a day) and vote for the favorites in your community. All you had to do is choose your community, write in your nominations and submit. Yep, that easy. You’ll vote for these categories: Eat, Drink and Be Merry, It’s All About the Art and Entertainment, Shop ‘Til You Drop, Look and Feel Your Best, It Is Your Business and Pet Projects plus we might ask a little about you.

Don’t worry, we won’t spam you. Your votes are all confidential unless you check that little opt-in box and then you may receive some awesome emails from us after this promotion ends.

BELLINGHAM, Wash- The Markets LLC plans to install a new The Markets location at the former Cost Cutter site in Lakeway Center by June 2011. The Lakeway Cost Cutter, which was owned by The Markets, closed with a liquidation sale in early December, letting go of more than 25 employees.

Sue Cole, spokesperson for The Markets, said more than half of the employees were let go, leaving less than 20 who were moved to other stores.

Submitted by Susie Beresford, Edmonds and Snohomish County Community Reporter

Thursday, September 16th, 2010, 3:13pm

The stores in Edmonds are gearing up for Halloween. It was a perfect Fall day in Edmonds and the stores are ready for this time of year. Take a look at all of the fun things the stores have set up...time to shop! Here's a few of the stores that have some fun Halloween things available for you to check out.

Submitted by Susie Beresford, Edmonds and Snohomish County Community Reporter

Friday, August 13th, 2010, 3:25pm

I got the chance to check out A Taste of Edmonds today and it was well worth it! I got to see the wonderful items for sale and ran into Danielle Garfoot and her 10 month old twins, Morgan & Riley who loved Kranial Komfort's hats and headbands. We then checked out the food booths and tried as many yummy treats as we could fit in...it's tough, there's some great options! I even won a t-shirt for answering the question of "How old is Edmonds?" Do you know the answer? Check it out, this is a fun event and it's sure to be another success for the Chamber!

Submitted by Susie Beresford, Edmonds and Snohomish County Community Reporter

Friday, August 13th, 2010, 3:17pm

I just checked out A Taste of Edmonds and filled up on yummy treats while checking out the wonderful things for sale! Danielle Garfoot and her twins, Morgan and Riley loved Kranial Komfort's hats and headbands. While we sat and ate, I even won a t-shirt for answering the question...How old is Edmonds? Do you know the answer? The crowds were already building and this looks like it's going to be another successful event for the Chamber!